Trendy tresses

Roberta Mcdonald, Calgary Herald08.14.2009

Some teens may flat-iron and curl their hair into glamorous looks that emulate the tresses of today's superstars, others prefer a funkier 'do, often achieved with over-the-counter dyes and do-it-yourself cuts.

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Hair is a key element of personal identity, and as such can play a major role in the self-esteem of teenagers.

While some may flat-iron and curl their hair into glamorous looks that emulate the tresses of today's superstars, others prefer a funkier 'do, often achieved with over-the-counter dyes and do-it-yourself cuts.

With a dizzying array of products currently available, it can be daunting making healthy hair choices for teens.

Amanda Le Klassen is a professional stylist at Viva Hair, advises teens and their parents to conduct careful research prior to taking the plunge, especially when considering a new look.

"It's just like tattoos. Ask to see a portfolio or speak to a previous client," she says, pointing out a bad hair day can make you feel awful.

Klassen also says the hottest trends this year are hair extensions and flat-ironed locks.

But, she warns, not all products measure up, she cautions teens against synthetic hair extensions, which may melt when styled.

"Just because synthetic is cheaper, don't do it. It will melt and fry if you do anything to style it. It breaks the hair right down to the cuticle," she says.

She encourages teens to seek out extensions made from human hair (found in many mall kiosks at a cost of $35 per extension) that simply clip on to the natural growth with small combs.

Klassen also says the previously popular woven extensions tend to look unnatural and can wreak havoc on delicate hair, adding it once took her three hours to cut and repair a client's hair after the young woman underwent a

weave. In addition, she advises those

shopping for a flat iron to look for models that are ceramic-coated, which protects the hair from heat.

"The clients I see with the most damage are those who have used a flat iron that didn't have ceramic coating," she says.

Using protein-rich conditioners and oils can help repair damage to dry hair, and Klassen also insists conditioning after each shampoo is key to keeping young hair supple and healthy.

She has experimented with a variety of styles and colours on her own hair

over the years, often with disastrous results.

Part of her goal as a stylist is to help clients avoid unnecessary bad hair days.

Charlene Dyck, an advertising consultant and mother to three teens,

says her daughters Jordan, 16, and Billie, 14, are fairly

reserved when it comes to hairstyling.

"They're not doing anything completely drastic. Sometimes, they'll wait for me to make an appointment and sometimes they won't.

I have no idea what colour either one of their hair naturally is; I know it's some sort of dark brown," she says.

Jordan says she was surprised the first time she tried

a streaking kit. "It came out brighter

than I expected," she says. "It was a big change." She also admits to being a

bit impatient with her bangs between salon appointments. "I do cut my bangs sometimes, but it usually turns out pretty cool."

Although her hair is naturally long and wavy, she straightens it each morning with a ceramic-coated flat iron, a ritual she completes in 10 to 15 minutes.

Dyck says it's her tweenaged son Michael who is more adventurous, adding he sported a bleach blond Mohawk at the age of 11.

The teen years are a time of emerging expression and for many, funky haircuts and vibrant colours are a non-intrusive means of showcasing creativity.

Camille Porcheron is a 15-year-old Calgary student about to enter Grade 10 at Lord Beaverbrook. Her hair has been bleached and dyed dozens of times, and she admits it has taken a toll on her young tresses.

"I've done a lot of different colour and a lot bleaching of my hair so the colours show up right. I've done it numerous times in a row before and my hair feels like plastic afterwards," she explains, adding she's mostly satisfied with the results. "It looks cool," she says.

While many parents monitor how their teenagers present themselves, including hairstyles, Porcheron says her folks take a supportive approach to her ever-changing hair.

Camille's mother Julie says she chooses not to monitor the hairstyles of her three daughters and one son. Instead, she encourages her brood to experiment in a supportive environment.

"I think it's fabulous that she (Camille) has the confidence and sense of self," she says. "We're a very creative, artistic family. If you're going to choose a battle with your teenager, choose something that actually matters," she says, adding: "Hair is hair. It will grow back."

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